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Thursday, February 14, 2013

The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies. ~Laura Ingles WilderLouisa May Alcott said, "We gather simple pleasures like daises by the bay." What is a simple pleasure? It's a tiny, inexpensive thing that brings a satisfying joy.

A simple pleasure is:Blueberry tea in your favorite cupThe inspiration of a new tabletStarbucks gift cardsRice bagsStrawberries on top of your favorite cereal

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. ~Laura Ingalls WilderIt's tempting to think of big things as the true treasures--like the elegance of the resort instead of the pewter ice bucket. I want to remember the moments--the simple pleasures of this week and next.Hugs from four grandsThe promise of 12 sleeps in the {warm} southMile after mile with my favorite personOrange juice at the Florida welcome centerKeeping in touch with the girls.78 degree temperatureFacebook chats with my sisterA book too captivating to put downSunshine, sunshine, sunshinePink soap at the rest areaBrainstorming a new projectReading to RB while he drivesHeart-shaped flower bed bursting with color Birds singing

As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breathe it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us nourishment; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm. ~Laura Ingles Wilder

The psalmist David said, "Thou has put gladness in my heart" (Psalm 4:7). These simple pleasures are gifts God has planted in my heart. I'm treasuring them, and my heart runs over with gladness.

Link up your sheltering ideas -- a recipe, craft or sewing project, a blog post sure to encourage or teach, or another sheltering idea you'd like to share? Link up and enjoy the ideas. Use them to go shelter!

23 comments:

On this Valentine's Day my husband is on the other side of the world--literally, but I had a delicious homemade granola and strawberry breakfast and opened a thoughtful present from him and a loving card he left for me before he traveled 2 weeks ago. My grown up kids in town and I are having fun being each other's secret Valentines and my kids love each other and their father and I. These are the simple--perhaps not so simple--pleasures I am enjoying today.

Hi Pamela! Happy Valentine's Day to you too. You are so right, about how the simple pleasures are the best, and how being aware of and grateful for them are a key to happiness. I love how you quoted Louisa May Alcott and Laura Ingalls Wilder in this post too.

Yes...the simple things in life! It's amazing how many small things in life can bring you great pleasure. I think the older we become and realize just how how much God has blessed us, it's so much easier to appreciate ALL the simple things in life! Thanks so much for sharing Pamela! Have a blessed weekend!

"Thou has put gladness in my heart" (Psalm 4:7). What a wonderful remedy for depression - we can ask God to put gladness in our hearts.We can also be thankful and content. :) Thanks for this beautiful post. Love the quotes!God bless.

Thank you for your kind comment on my blog, Pamela. I really do take a lot of time and effort with each post ... probably too much time which is part of the reason I don't post more often. I'm glad your comment brought me to A Sheltering Tree. I like what I see here. You definitely have a way with words. Blessings on your ministry!

Pam, I couldn't agree more - it's the simple things in life that bring me so much pleasure and enjoyment!I've enjoyed counting up these simple things in my Blessings Journal -- and the list is getting longer every day!